Diotimos Library · Journals, Notebooks & Fragments Collection · Bilingual Edition
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II
Complete Notebooks · French with an independent English translation.
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English Page · Branch 4361 of 4529
YEAR 1821 · Entry 8142
French
p. 8721(Nota. Cuisant. Douleurs cuisantes.)
La sagesse est le repos dans la lumière : en quelque degré qu’elle soit. Et le repos surtout dans cette lumière moyenne dont, par sa nature et par la nôtre, nous ne pouvons avoir en nous qu’une moitié.
On la connoit par l’émotion, (elle produit la conviction), elle entre dans le sentiment. Il faut aller où elle guide, s’arrêter où elle s’arrête, suivre en tout son obscurité. Mais il faut y mêler aussi les clartés d’une autre lumière qui nous apprend à bien discerner celle-là. C’est la lumière souveraine. Cette lumière pure et haute, d’où nous vient toute intelligence.
Il est des esprits qu’elle frappe. Heureux les esprits qui l’ont vue. Sa diffusion fait leur sérénité, son éclat leur pénétration, ses apparitions leurs joyes. Heureux ceux où [ce] soleil luit et que leur bonheur même excite à se jouer dans ses rayons (ou — mettre leur joye et leur gloire à se jouer dans ses rayons.)
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: YEAR 1821
p. 8722(Note. Stinging. Stinging pains.)
Wisdom is repose in light: in whatever degree it may be. And repose above all in that intermediate light of which, by its nature and by ours, we can have only one half within us.
One knows it through emotion (it produces conviction); it enters feeling. One must go where it guides, stop where it stops, follow its obscurity in everything. But one must also mingle with it the brightnesses of another light that teaches us to discern that one well. It is the sovereign light. That pure and lofty light from which all intelligence comes to us.
There are minds it strikes. Happy the minds that have seen it. Its diffusion makes their serenity, its brilliance their penetration, its appearances their joys. Happy those in whom [this] sun shines and whom their very happiness urges to play in its rays (or — to place their joy and glory in playing in its rays.)
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · YEAR 1821 · Entry 8142
Ask about a concept, passage, contradiction, or connection.
Socrates will begin with this book and its sources.About This Reading Edition
Joubert’s notebooks return to the work of thinking and writing, the demands of friendship, and questions of faith, beauty and conduct. This edition pairs the French with a new English translation, preserving the order of the chosen source and the unfinished character of its fragments. Dates and source references allow readers to follow a thought through time or return to its printed context.
Historical Text and Translation
The French text follows André Beaunier’s 1938 edition of Les Carnets de Joseph Joubert, published by Gallimard from Joubert’s autograph manuscripts. Volume II continues the notebooks and includes seventy undated pieces. French and English are aligned paragraph by paragraph, retaining the source order, printed dates and page references so readers can return to the facsimile.
About Diotimos Editions
Diotimos Editions prepared this new English translation directly from the French, preserving Joubert’s distinctions, recurring images, ambiguities and unfinished thoughts. Translator’s notes clarify wording, references and uncertain readings: Essential keeps notes that help explain a passage, while All includes technical detail. Annotations from the 1938 source edition remain distinct from the new translator’s notes.
Rights
The linked facsimile records identify the French source as public domain in the United States. The new English translation and editorial notes are © 2026 Diotimos, with source annotations and new editorial contributions credited separately. This edition pairs the complete French notebooks with an independent English translation, preserving the distinction between Joubert’s text and its accompanying notes.